There are many symptoms that can be caused by the poison ivy plant. Some may only experience a small rash while others might have a much larger rash and blisters. The one symptom that everyone will share is itching. The area of skin that was infected will be red and irritated and it will cause an itching sensation that is intense.
It is important that you refrain from scratching any part of the rash so that it will be able to heal quicker. Unfortunately this rule is hard to enforce on younger children who are unable to bear it as much as us. The best thing you can do is to find a way to relieve the itching immediately.
Hot Bath
The first thing you should do is to draw a hot shower or bath for your child. You want it to be hot – but at the same time it should not burn them. Let them soak for a minute and then scrub the rash with a clean cloth. Make sure that this cloth is washed immediately you are done using it.
Use a gentle soap that is made for people with oily skin to clean the area. You can even use an oatmeal soap that is often given to children with chicken pox. After you have rinsed them off pat them down with a clean towel and have them wear a light bathrobe or very light clothes. The material that they wear should be soft so that it will not irritate the skin any further.
Paste
Now that the skin has been cleaned you will need to apply some type of paste or cream. You can use calamine lotion or you can combine table salt and water to make a loose paste. This should be smooth and not too thick. Rub the salt into the rash and the blisters. It will sting so try to be gentle about it. Rinse off the salt with cool water.